JotCast | Jason Mackey's sports chat 05.31.24

Jason Mackey's sports chat 05.31.24

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Alen

12:56

Any realistic bats you could see the pirates being interested in adding from the outside to bolster the lineup?

Jason Mackey

12:56

We'd be throwing darts.

Guest

12:58

Hey Jason. Thoughts on bringing JuJu back? I think it would be a complete disaster. Pickens already has maturity and mental issues. Letting this clown teach him how to improve his brand would be a huge step backwards for an already sinking organization.

Jason Mackey

12:59

I understand why it exists -- they need a No. 2 WR, and he fits the mold from a football perspective. But, yeah, no. They don't need or want that. I can't imagine Russell Wilson tolerating JuJu's schtick. The whole group needs to grow up, and his antics don't help, IMO.

Dan N

12:59

After watching the Conference finals in hockey…it seems the Penguins are light years away…what can be done ? What do you expect to be done ? Awfully quiet…

Jason Mackey

1:00

Yep. I don't disagree. And it's always quiet during the playoffs. I wouldn't read too much into that. ... That's the problem, though, right? There's not much they can do. As I said earlier, I would trade Karlsson or Jarry. Those are the only two levers they can pull for substantive change. And even those might be tough.

62 Stack Monster

1:00

Jason, I understand that baseball is now a stat driven, data analyzing industry, and Ben Cherington is probably held in high regards in the industry on those terms (he never played, right?). But, maybe, just maybe, they need some real baseball men running things or have such men, like Nunnally, to have a greater input?

Jason Mackey

1:01

Nunnally doesn't work for the Pirates any more. I think they will tell you it's a blend. And maybe it is. But they do seem to have a greater slant toward the numbers side under this regime. That said, teams win like that. They just need to be better than they have been.

Guest

1:01

In light of MLB adding the Negro stats to the record books, should they start adding college, high school, and little league stats in the mix as well?

Jason Mackey

1:01

Point taken. Don't agree with it, but I know some do.

Moonlight Graham

1:01

Can Coach Duzz really like the score fast, score more that OC Bell is installing? He grew up in the 3 yards and a pile of dust era.

Jason Mackey

1:02

He better. I, for one, am excited to see the offense. It looked like something in transition at the Blue-Gold game. But it's the way college football is being played these days. Narduzzi can like what he likes, but he needs to get the right players, guys who want to play in this offense, and he needs to do something that separates Pitt. We'll see if this does.

Y-town Ralph

1:02

How long does Nick Gonzalez have to hit to prove its not a fluke?

Jason Mackey

1:03

Longer than he has, I know that. Maybe a couple months? The rest of the season? We've seen two-month stretches from guys turn out to be a fluke. But it looks good right now.

Guest

1:03

NFL has changed rules to the point playing defense is not allowed. Same with the NBA. You can't touch a player and travelling has been eliminated long ago. All of this increases scoring. My question is, is this is cater to gambling and not the sport itself? It seems it makes these over/unders tougher with all of the defense being eliminated.

Jason Mackey

1:03

I'm not sure. I've honestly never thought about that. I can't imagine it's for gambling. I think it's to increase watchability -- which isn't necessarily the same as gambling. Maybe to make the sport more attractive and also not get guys hurt? I think they go hand in hand.

Jeff

1:03

Contreras so far after getting picked up by Angels, 4 scoreless innings. Could he still be here in middle relief?

Jason Mackey

1:04

Saw that. Small sample, but it wouldn't shock me if he found something. The talent is in there.

1:04

Do you think the Steelers acquire another formidable WR? GP, Roman, and another bona fide guy would ease a lot of fans’ minds

Jason Mackey

1:04

Yeah, I think they do. Kinda playing the waiting game right now. You don't call on Metcalf, Aiyuk, Sutton, etc. and then just forget about it. They know they have a weakness there.

Bobbi

1:04

Hi Jason. When I watch baseball games, I notice the batter often calls time out, usually with two strikes on him. Is the pitcher allowed to call a time out, perhaps to collect himself or simply give himself a brief break? Thank you.

Jason Mackey

1:05

He can disengage with the rubber up to three times. It's a pseudo timeout, a way to delay.

Matt

1:05

If the Pirates best team included moving Cruz off of short, could he mentally handle a position change? Or would he "mope" around and feel as though the Pirates have "given up" on him? When things are going well, he seems invested. When something happens, his attitude noticeably changes and seems to carry it with him.

Jason Mackey

1:06

I'm not gonna play Oneil Cruz psychology here. But I've said from the beginning that he deserves a season to show he can do it. Right now, it's not good. I'd still let him go. If he makes 35-40 errors, I'm going to him in the offseason and saying, "Look, Oneil, as a team, we can't have this. We need to figure out another path." He's a good kid and has a lot of pride. I'm respective his desire to show me, but I'm also not losing him if I need him to go to the OF.

Darnell

1:06

Hey Jason, enjoy your chats. Any new rumors on who may be replacing Bill Hillgrove? Care to say who a few of your favorites might be? Thanks.

Jason Mackey

1:07

My own personal pick would be Rob King. He has done stuff for them before. Has filled in for various play-by-play duties, a total pro. We're getting close to that time.

Paul

1:07

Good afternoon. Signing in late, maybe this question was asked already, so here goes. Why is Rowdy Tellez still wearing a Pirate uniform?

Jason Mackey

1:08

Ha! Yep, we got that one. I think they're trying to get something out of the contract. Yes, I'm equally as surprised.

Brandon Belt

1:09

Is there a possibility I get picked up for half a season? I would have liked that pickup this off-season personally but could he be worth a pickup (with a corresponding Rowdy DFA) here soon?

Jason Mackey

1:10

That would be very surprising. They've had plenty of chances to go that route and have resisted. I can't see what would change to make it enticing at this point.

Wayward

1:10

Jason, you did a couple of nice articles about Frazier (from a WVU guy thank you) but is there anything about his game that is concerning as stepping in as a rookie starter?

Jason Mackey

1:10

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed them. It's only football in shorts, but you picked the guy where you did for a reason. If there are bumps, I'm perfectly fine living with them. He should solidify that position for a long time.

Bern

1:10

Have you watched Loudermilk?

Jason Mackey

1:10

I have. Couple seasons. I liked it at first but then lost interest.

SDWC

1:11

Do you think the Pirates bullpen will improve? They haven’t been able to follow any kind of progression or consistent formula that a strong pen provides.

Jason Mackey

1:12

I think it will be better than May but not enough. I worry this could be the weak link of the team. Even if you see Bednar, Chapman and Holderman, I worry about the rest. Again, I don't think they're going to stay in the bottom five. But I also don't think it's going to be the very, very good group many (including me) expected.

Alain L.

1:12

With Cruz having so much trouble against southpaws, would having bunt against them and utilizing his speed help his confidence ?

Jason Mackey

1:12

I'm not having Cruz bunt. No way.

Trader

1:12

So what do you think they get in exchange 3 years from now when they trade Skenes and Jones ?

Jason Mackey

1:12

I don't think they're trading those guys in three days.